Burning Beauty into the World of Pyrography
From humble beginnings to running her own gallery, Marsha Wilson-Johnson has carved—quite literally—a place for herself in the world of fine art through the ancient and evocative craft of pyrography. Based in Klamath Falls, Oregon, she uses fire as her paintbrush to create detailed, sepia-toned artworks on materials as varied as wood, paper, leather, and bone. Her works are meditative, powerful, and deeply rooted in the natural world.
Her creative journey began in the sixth grade, when an inspiring art teacher sparked a lifelong fascination with the Old Masters. “Her face lit up when she spoke about Da Vinci and Michelangelo,” Marsha recalls. Years later, during a stopover in Paris on a missionary trip, she fulfilled that early inspiration by visiting the Louvre and standing face to face with the Mona Lisa and David. Though she once doubted her ability to draw or paint—especially while raising children—it was discovering pyrography that finally unlocked her artistic voice.
Originally focused on bold silhouettes and rustic signs, her style shifted dramatically after finding others online pushing the boundaries of woodburning. A New Zealand artist creating pieces on paper opened her eyes to the medium’s versatility. Since then, Marsha has tested over 40 different materials and even created a sample chart—now available as a poster in her art collection—thanks to a grant and her published article in Mortise & Tenon Magazine, Vol. 18 on the history of pyrography.
Far from a limitation, the natural sepia tones of pyrography became her liberation. “I don’t have to mix colours,” she says. “I can focus on shape, shadow, and light. It gives me a different kind of freedom.”
Her favourite part of the process is both the beginning—when inspiration strikes—and the end, when she shares near-complete updates with followers online. The slow, detailed burning process in between is meditative, often interrupted by the need to stretch, snack, or rest sore fingers. “I’ve learned not to rush the final day of burning,” she explains, “though I often want to.”
One of her most beloved pieces is “Paper Daisies”, a floral study burned onto paper that captures the delicacy of flowers in glowing, charred lines. Flowers have long been a favourite subject of hers, and she continues to explore the texture and fragility of nature through the heat of her pen.
Marsha’s work has been featured in several galleries, including her first group show at a small theatre in Waco, Texas. Nervous on the day of the event, she locked herself out of her bedroom in a bathrobe and had to take the door off its hinges to get ready. But that event sparked a wave of success—three solo shows followed, television interviews, and even a collector who bought five pieces in one visit without asking the price.
Today, she runs the High Desert Fine Art Gallery and Emporium, representing herself and 11 other local artists. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm, and is expanding its reach with future plans for wine-and-cheese evenings and community exhibitions.
Marsha also welcomes commissions. Portraits, homes, and heritage landmarks are all part of her repertoire. Carefully discussing tonal limitations with clients, she brings their visions to life in glowing sepia tones, occasionally adding colour for symbolic or historical impact—such as in her commemorative piece of the Iwo Jima flag raising.
Although Marsha doesn’t dream of her art, it fills her life. Whether photographing natural textures or burning elk and buffalo onto wood in the Oregon high desert, her creativity is ever alive. Her husband is her greatest supporter and self-declared “entourage,” championing her at every turn.
Despite social media setbacks, Marsha continues to share her journey online and rebuild her audience. You can currently find her work on:
- Facebook: Marsha’s Pyrography Art
- Instagram: Wood Burning By Marsha
If you’re in Southern Oregon or passing through:
Visit the High Desert Fine Art Gallery and Emporium in Klamath Falls – open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm.
